Radio control system



Filed Oct. 26, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l erf Joknan June 18, 1940.

A. JOHNSON 2,205,170

RADIO CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Oct. 26, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June18, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved automatic control system for radioreceiving sets.

The invention seeks, as one of its objects, to provide a system of thischaracter which will be automatic for controlling operation of a radioreceiving set for any predetermined period of time within a given timeinterval so that desired radio programs may be automatically changed atthe proper time.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic controlsystem which will be simple in construction and operation so that itwill be capable of being set and reset with facility.

As a still further object, the invention contemplates an automaticcontrol system wherein provision is made to permit operation of anelectrically operated tuning mechanism employed either in connectionwith or independently of the time control mechanism of the system.

The invention has for another object to provide a system of thischaracter wherein the tuning means employed will efciently rotate thetuning devices so that a station for which the time control mechanism isset, will be properly tuned in.

Other objects of the invention Will become apparent as the descriptionthereof proceeds.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings forming a part of myapplication:

Figure 1 is a front elevation, partially diagrammatic, of a portion ofthe time control mechanism employed,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the electrically operated tuningmechanism, the view being partly broken away and shown in section,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan View of the tuning mechanism, and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the entire system.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, wherein similar numeralsof reference will be seen to designate like parts throughout the variousviews, the numeral I indicates a conventional radio receiving setcabinet which carries therein a suitable radio chassis which may be ofany desired type. The cabinet has a top wall 2 and a front wall 3.Preferably mounted on the top wall 2 of the cabinet is a clock 4 whichmay be of the mechanical or of the electric variety and of any desireddesign. The clock has a face 5 on which are positioned the usual numbersrepresenting the hours of the day. Mounted on the faces of the clock 4and arranged in a circumferential series are spaced contact elements 6.It is desired to call attention to the fact that there-is a contactelement for each iifteen minutes of a twelve hour period. On the face 5of the clock 4, there are also pairs of contacts 'I, 8, 9 and III, asbest seen in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawings. Each of the pairs ofcontacts comprises contact members II and I2. Moreover, the pairs ofcontacts 1, 8, 9 5 and I0 are arranged in equally spaced positions aboutthe face 5. That is to say, the pair of contacts 'I is located at 12 onthe clock face, the pair 8 is located at 3, the pair 9 is located at 6,and the pair IIJ is located at 'El.y The pur- 140 pose for thesecontacts as well as the contact members 6 will be described shortly.

Mounted on the front Wall 3 of the cabinet I is a control board I3. Thecontrol board has mounted thereon a plurality of plugs I4 which 1 5 arearranged in twelve parallel vertical rows with four plugs in each row.That is to say, there is a plug for fteen minutes of each hour of theday and there are, of course, twelve hours in the day. As shown inFigure l, the control board I3 has i20 indicia thereon for indicating agiven time period for each plug. The plugs I4 are each electricallyconnected with corresponding contact elements 6 on the face of the clock5 by means of conductors I5, shown in dotted lines.

As shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, there is located beneath thecontrol board I3 a station selector strip I6 which has mounted thereonopen circuit jack switches I1. Each of the jack switches II will beelectrically connected with ,39 tuning and station selecting mechanism,shown generally at I8, in a manner to be described in more detailhereinafter. The mechanism I8 includes, as best shown in Figure 2, anelectric motor I9 which is rotatably connected With the ,35 condensershaft 20 of the receiving set. On the shaft 2U, in addition to the usualcondenser rotor units, are loosely mounted a plurality of spaced disks2|, 22, 23 and 24 which have mounted in their circumferences at pointstherealong insulat- ,40 ing blocks 25 which define stops 25a. Attentionis directed to the fact that, while but four disks are shown on theshaft 20 in Figure 3 of the drawings, any desired number of disks may beused, depending upon the number of station sety45 tings to be selectedon the radio tuning unit. A disk 20, a cooperating control lever 26, andmagnetic operating means, presently to be described, are necessary foreach definite station setting of the condenser shaft. The control levers26 are y50 preferably rectangular in shape and are mounted in a suitableframe 21 which is` disposed in parallel spaced relation to the shaft 20of the tuning unit. The control levers 26 are swingingly mounted on ashaft 28 which extends through the frame 2l' and is journaled in eachend thereof. A raising lever 29 is carried by each control lever, beingswingingly mounted on the shaft 28, and has an armature 30 which isadapted to be attracted by magnets 3| and 3|a upon energization thereof.The magnet 3| is carried on an insulating strip 32 which extendslongitudinally of the frame 2. It is desired to call attention to thefact that one relatively large magnet 3| may be employed, in which casea single armature would be effective .for raising all of the controllevers simultaneously, or a plurality of magnets may be used, as shownin Fig. 3 of the drawings. Where a plurality of magnets are employed,they will all be held in place on the strip 32 by a strap 33. Separatearmatures 30 and 3|]a will be provided for each of the magnets 3|, wherea plurality are employed.

In order to permit adjustment of the disks on the shaft 28, appropriatestructure for the purpose is employed. More speciiically, lugs 3a Aareformed on each of the cams and have bolts 33h screwed therethrough. Thedisks are loosely mounted on the shaft. but sleeves 33C are tted aboutsaid shaft and have tongues 33d which extend radially and receivetherethrough the ends of the bolts 33h. It will be understood that thedisks may be readily adjusted.

Mounted in the frame 21 above the rod 28 is a latch rod 34. The latchrod 34 carries a plurality of latches 35 which are normally obliquelydownwardly disposed. The latches have heads 36 which engage throughslots 37 disposed medially of the lengths of the control levers 26, alatch 35, with head 33 thereon, being provided for each control lever. Aplurality of magnets 38, two of said magnets being shown at 38 and 38aare mounted on an insulating strip 39 which is supported at the upperforward corner of the frame. The magnets 38 and 38a, as will be seen,are supported obliquely with respect to the vertical and atsubstantially right angles to the length of the latches 35, and havepole pieces which are en gageable with armatures 40 carried on thelatches 35. Light springs 4| normally urge the levers 25 toward theirrespective disks on the vshaft zo.

The main stem of the clock 4 has a minute hand 42 which overlies theface 5. The minute hand is of conventional construction, with theexception that its outer end portion is selectively and progressivelyengageable with the contacts il and |2 of the pairs of contacts 8, 9 andIl). On the main stem of the clock 4 there is also mounted the hour hand43, the free end portion of which is selectively engageable with thecontact members 5 on the face of the clock. If desired, the hands 42 and43 may have wiping shoes thereon for facilitating the making of theelectric circuit with the various contacts.

It is now desired to discuss the wiring diagram in more detail. Aconductor 44 connects each of the contacts il of the pairs of contacts1, 8, 9 and l0, with each other, while a conductor 45 connects theconductor 44 with one terminal of the magnets 3l. The othercorresponding terminals of the magnets 3| are joined together and areconnected to one terminal of a battery 46 by a conductor 4?. A conductor48 connects the Iother terminal of the battery 46 with the main stem andwith the corresponding inner ends of the hands 42 and 43 of the clock. Aswitch 49 is interposed in this conductor 48 and the purpose thereofwill be described in more detail hereinafter. A conductor 58 connectseach of the conting of the condenser shaft 2D.

tacts l2 of the pairs of contacts l, 8, 9 and Il), with each other, anda conductor 5I connects the conductor 5i! with one terminal of a battery52. The other terminal of thc batte ed to one 'terminal of each of the38a by a conductor 53. The other terminal of the magnets 38 and isconnected to one of the jack switches by a conductor 54. it should beunderstood that each of the jack switches |'l is electrically connectedwith one of the magnets 38 so that closing of each switch will effectthe energization of the magnet 38 connected therewith. The jack switchesll are selectively cngageable by the plugs |4 of the board i3. fn otherwords, each jack switch, when closed by one of the plugs |4, will effectthe selection of a radio station by the tuning unit in a manner now tobe described more fully.

Let it be presumed that the plug 4 is withdrawn from the board I3 andinserted in one of the jack switches il' which will be designated as|13. rI'ne circuit will then be closed from the board to one of the jackswitches. In order for the circuit to be completed, however, it isnecessary that the hands 42 and 43 of the clock be positioned todesignate one oclock. When this position takes place, the circuit willbe closed through the conductor 5| to one terminal of the battery 52,thence through the conductor 53, through the magnet 38, through theconductor 54, hack to the jack switch Il, through the plug I4, andthrough the conductor i5 which joins the plug with one of the elements 5and through the hand 43 and through the hand 42 and finally through theconductor 5U and, of course, back to the conductir 5| to the battery 52.The magnet 38 will thus be energized and the latch 35 released forreleasing the control lever 25 so that said lever will engage the stop25a of the insulating block 25 of the disk which controls the set- Thecondenser shaft will be stopped at the desired setting for the stationwhich was plugged in by insertion of the plug I4 into the jack switchIle. When the circuit is completed and the control lever 26 is pulledtoward the disk, the circuit to the motor I9 will be completed in thefollowing manner: A battery 55 has one terminal thereof connected withone end cf the control lever 26 by a terminal 56. The other terminal ofthe battery is connected with the motor by means of a conductor 51. Aconductor 58 connects the other terminal of the motor with the shaft 20and the disks which are fixed thereon. When a disk controlling movementof the condenser shaft 20 to a given setting is on said setting, thecircuit will be broken by the insulating block 25. Should the end of thecontrol lever be resting on the disk having to do with setting thecondenser shaft to conform to the station selected on the board I6, themotor will be started and the cam will be rotated until the setting isagain reached.

It will now be understood that the radio receiver will be operative forbringing in the program from the station to which it has been tuned.Assuming that the program is of fifteen minutes length, when the minutehand 42 traverses onefourth of the face of the clock, consuming fifteenminutes time, the end thereof will engage the contact of the pair ofcontacts 8. takes place, the circuit will be completed from one terminalof the battery 46 through the ccnductor 48 through the switch 49,assuming it is closed, to the main stem of the clock, thence through thehand 42, the contact the con- When this Iii,

ductor 45,v the magnet 3I and the conductor 41, back to the oppositeterminal of the battery 46. It should be understood that, if the plug I4is inserted in the jack I'Ib, the magnet 38a will be energized insteadof the magnet 38. 'Ihe magnet 3|a will also be energized in the samemanner as the magnet 3I for shifting the armature 30 in the same mannerthat the armature 30 is shifted. Suitable conductors connect the magnets3If1L and 382L in the circuit with the plug I4 and board I5, as well aswith the clock face contacts. The magnet 3| will be energized forswinging the contact lever, or levers, upwardly from behind the stops25a, when the disks will be free to rotate. Moreover, the heads 36 ofthe latches 35 will. engage in the slots 3'I and will retain `thecontrol levers in uppermost position. The radio may or may not remaintuned to the same station as desired.

Should it be desired, however, to Change the tuning of the radioreceiver so that another station will be received, it is only necessaryto remove the plug I4` and insert it in another one of the jack switchesII, as, for example, IIb. As heretofore stated, the jack switch I'Ib, aswell as all of the other jack switches Il are each connected with theirown associated magnet 38. Therefore, when the circuit is completed bythe plug I4 through the jack switch IIb, the circuit will then be againclosed through the magnet 38 when the same will be energized forreleasing the latch 35 and permitting the control lever 2G to fallagainst the disk, as, for example, the disk 22 on the shaft 20. 'I'hecircuit to the motor I9 will again be completed, as heretofore stated,and the condenser shaft will be rotated until the control leverassociated therewith engages the insulating block 25 and breaks thecircuit to the motor, when the new station, controlled by the switch IIbwill be brought into proper tuning resonance. It should be understoodthat the plug I4 which is engaged in the switch IIb will have to be withone which covers a time period from quarter after one to one thirty inorder for the circuit to be completed through the clock structure. Itshould also be understood that the plugs are each connected with one ofthe elements Ii. Therefore, before the circuit can be completed, it isnecessary that the plug which is connected to the element under the hourhand be inserted in the jack switch I'I. v

If desired, a multiple plug may be employed in connection with the jackswitches II so that any number of plugs may be utilized at one time, forcovering an interval of the number of hours.

If it is desired to allow the radio receiver to remain tuned to the samestation indefinitely, the switch 49 may be opened. A switch 59 isconnected between the terminals and 48 and is operable for release ofthe control levers from the disks simultaneously.

While I have shown a number of sets of batteries, it should beunderstood that a supply of alternating or direct current may be used inlieu thereof.

It is thought that the construction and operation of my improved systemwill now be thoroughly understood.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. In a radio control system, a radio tuning unit including a condensershaft having disks thereon, a motor operative for rotating the disks topredetermined settings whereby pre-selected stations will be tuned toreasonance, control levers engageable with the disks for retaining saiddisks in station selecting position., electro-magnetic means fordisengaging the levers from the disks at the expiration of apredetermined period whereby the condenser shaft and disks will beallowed to rotate, a station selector jack switch, an electro-magnet,circuit connections between the magnet, switch and a current source, anda latch normally retaining one of the control levers out of engagementwith its associated disk and being operable by the magnet for releasingsaid control lever to engage and limit said disk associated therewith toa station receiving setting.

2. In a radio control system, a clock having a face provided with anannular series of contacts, each spaced from the other a distanceequivalent to that traveled by the hour hand in a predetermined timeinterval, pairs of contacts carried on the clock face and being spacedapart on said face a distance equivalent to that traveled by the minutehand of the clock in a predetermined time interval, said hands beingselectively engageable with the contacts, a control board, a series ofplugs o-n the control board, one of said plugs being provided for eachcontact of said series of contacts, a station selector strip havingstation selector jack switches thereon, said jack switches beingengageable selectively by certain of the plugs, a tuning unit includingelectromagnet means connected with the pairs of contacts and a powersource, a motor, a tuning condenser shaft, disks on the shaft,insulating blocks on the disks, control levers, a plurality of latchesassociated with the control levers, electromagnets for each of thelatches, circuit connections between each of the last-mentioned magnetsand each of the selector switches, circuit connections between themotor, the control levers, the cams and a power source, and cir` cuitconnections between the last-mentioned magnets, said selector switches,certain of the contacts of the pairs of contacts and a power source,certain of said plugs being engageable in certain of said selector jackswitches for energizing certain of said last-mentioned magnets forclosing the circuit to the motor and rotating one of said disks to aposition for tuning in a radio station, said insulating block on saiddisk breaking the circuit and stopping the motor, said contacts on theclock face cooperating with the hands and the rst-mentioned magnet meansfor retaining the disk in set position for a predetermined time.

3. In a radio control system, a tuning unit lncluding a motor, acondenser shaft, means rotatably connecting the motor with the condensershaft, disks on the shaft, insulating blocks on the disks, a frameadjacent the shaft, a rod in the frame, a plurality of control leversswingingly mounted on the rod, one of said levers being associated witheach disk and said levers being engageable with the disks, lifting armson the rod and associated with the levers, said lifting arms 4havingarmatures, electro-magnets, means mounting the magnets in the frame inassociated relation to the armatures, a second rod carried by the frame,latches on the rod and engageable with the control levers for retainingsaid levers out of engagement with the disks, a second set of magnets inthe frame, and means mounting said last-mentioned magnets in the frame,said last-mentioned magnets being selectively energizable for shiftingthe latches and releasing the control levers for retaining the disks ina set position.

4. In a radio control system, a clock having a face, a group of contactson the face, an hour hand on the clock and sequentially engageable withthe contacts, spaced pairs of contacts on the clock face, a minute handon the clock and sequentially engageable with the contacts of the pairsof contacts, a control board having plugs electrically connected withthe contacts of the irst group of contacts, station selector` jackswitches selectively engageable by the plugs for selecting a station tobe heard, a radio tuning unit, means for automatically setting thetuning uni to the frequency of the station to be heard, said meansincluding a magnet, a control lever, an armature operatively connectingthe control lever with the magnet, and circuit connections between themagnet, a power source, one of the contacts of each pair of contacts andthe minute hand, a second magnet, a latch operatively associatedtherewith and with the control lever, and circuit connections betweenthe second magnet, the jack switches, a source of power and the other ofthe contacts of the pairs of contacts, said clock hands and contactscontrolling current ow to the magnets whereby the second magnet will beoperative for shifting the latch for releasing the Control lever forretaining the tuning unit in a predetermined position throughout apredetermined time interval for keeping a selected station tuned toresonance during said in terval, said rst mentioned magnet shifting thearmature and control lever for permitting shifting of the tuning unitwhen it is desired to sclect a station.

ALBERT JOHNSON.

